Dear Sir/Madam Bandleader,

For a while now i've been hoping that you realise the error of your ways and make a change for the better. CLEARLY that's not going to happen any time soon, however, so I'm just going to come out and say it:

Why the HECK do you insist on having a band launch at night??? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Carnival costumes worn more during daylight hours than after sunset? So why then hasn't it occurred to anyone to schedule daytime launches so that the costumes can be shown to their full advantage AND give an accurate representation of what's to be expected on Carnival Monday and Tuesday? Or maybe that's the problem.

Maybe most bandleaders are afraid that their costumes won't stand up to the unforgiving scrutiny that sunlight affords. That we'll be able to see all the glue blotches, shoddy stitching, and uneven cutting or the fact that the costume just won't have that *oomph factor on the road. That's it, isn't it? Why raise your standards and create quality products when you can just hide under the cover of night and reel in the masses? After all, Carnival is a business ... so why provide your clientele with enough information to allow them to make an informed decision?

And don't tell me any nonsense about the sun hot and people won't come out. PUH-LEASE! Ever heard of a day fete? Or a beach lime for that matter? Or putting the stage in the sun but providing shade for those who can't spend the length of the presentation in the sunlight? As a matter of fact - ever heard of CARNIVAL MONDAY AND TUESDAY? Try again.

And while I'm at it ... how come so many of you band leaders don't display your costumes properly in the mas camps? I get the fact that the front of the costume is what most people concentrate on, but in a recent survey that I conducted, no one who actually wore a costume on the road for Carnival was two-dimensional! So where's the proper viewing of the ENTIRE costume? Where's my abillity to know if that waistband is going to offer sufficient Heavy (or light) T coverage ... or in some cases too much coverage (yes some people just LOVE a skimpy costume)? And DON'T try to cover up the fact that the back of the head piece looks unfinished because you were too lazy/cheap/unwilling to throw in some feathers, beads, or cloth back there.

I don't need a response to this letter. Just a reaction. So that next year when I make the launch and mas camp rounds, I don't have to factor my guesswork and past experience into what you present to me.

Thanks!

 

*For example:

2009 - TRIBE's African Love Bird - looked GORGEOUS at the launch and in the mas camp; looked gorgeous on the road with all the bells and trimmings of the skirt, collar and large headpiece; looked flat on those people who opted for the basic costume - don't get me wrong, this was a beautifully designed and constructed costume, but it didn't have that Carnival zing!